Sick Gourami

[simer]

Hi

I have a Red Robin Gourami who is bloated and has no equilibrium whatsoever. I noticed he was ill a few days ago as he appeared listless, but ihave only just today been able to separate him from my main tank. I have read about dropsy and the pine cone effect and I am sorry to say he does look a little like this. How should I treat him? I have to be honest, my main concern is for now my other fish even though I have now quaranteed him.

I was thinking that I should put this in the emergency section, but since I can't see him making it through the night I don't really see it as an emergency I caould do anything about now anyway.

Thanks

(BTW water stats are all fine 0ppm Ammonia, 0ppm nitrates, pH 7.4)

 

[daklinz112588]

1 and a half the amount your supposed to thats what i do somtimes when my fish are really sick

 

[plecoguy]

over dosing meds is NEVER a good idea...dont ever do that...can cause more problems then u started with.

 

[daklinz112588]

i do and i saved my oscar i NEVER do it in the real tank just an emergancy 5 gall

 

[plecoguy]

just because it happened to work for you that time, doesnt mean it always does, and you should go preaching about it either. each fish is different and can handle meds differently. the instructions on the med bottle are normally the best to go by, and somtimes that is even too much for certain fish

now back on topic....do you mean you have 0 nitrAtes or 0 nitrItes...if its nitrates...you may have another problem coming. how old is your tank?

 

[WILDER]

Sounds like swim bladder to me. are the scales sticking out like a pinecone.not the writer of this information below.
Swim Bladder Disorder



The Swim bladder is a gas-filled sac located inside the fish’s body cavity just above most of the other internal organs. This sac is what gives the fish buoyancy and controls equilibrium. The amount of gas in this sac changes as the fish rises and sinks in the water, enabling it to swim, hover and move in the water. Without the use of the Swim-bladder organ a fish is unable to control it's own movements.



Symptoms:

Fish with a swim bladder disorder appear to have an abnormal swimming pattern, usually with their tail end up. They also appear to have difficulty maintaining equilibrium. They may even float upside down or appear to be stuck at the surface of the water, being unable to swim down, or they may lie on the bottom, unable to rise. Fish with a swim bladder disorder will continue to try and feed, showing a normal appetite.



Cause:

The most common cause of swim bladder disorders is improper diet. An improper diet can lead to intestinal gas or intestinal blockages. Intestinal blockages can irritate the bowel, giving bacteria or other parasites an entry point where they can then cause damage to the swim bladder. Swim bladder disorders are most common in the larger, deep-bodied varieties of Goldfish. Fish also fed a lot of dried foods, especially pellets, are most susceptible. This condition is frequently observed in the later stages of Malawi Bloat, which is primarily due to an improper diet as well and intestinal irritation.



Treatment:

Because this disorder is due principally to an improper diet, a change in their feeding needs to be made. Dried foods with lots of protein should be kept to a minimum. Pellets and other dense foods should be soaked prior to feeding or completely eliminated from their diet. Foods with lots of fiber should be introduced, such as zucchini, squash, spinach, romaine lettuce, peas, and grated carrots. If you suspect that the fish is victim to a bacterial infection, treat the fish with a medicated food.

 

[simer]

Thanks!

I don't think it is this however. The fish didn't eat for some time (unfortunately passed away now) and the symptons seemed more like what I have read about dropsy.

By the way I did mean nitrites!

All the other fish seem ok, so Isuppose I wll have to keep a close eye and keep my fingers crossed.

Thanks again.

 

[WILDER]

Sorry for your loss, R.I.P.